Work to transform a dated office block into affordable flats with a rooftop garden in Llanelli could get under way in weeks.
There’ll be 27 flats at the new-look Crown Buildings in a project expected to last around 15 months.
Key to the scheme is greenery on the roof and elsewhere on the five-storey building and low-carbon energy systems including solar panels. The exterior will also be modernised.
The company behind it, Hacer Developments, is completing a larger scheme in Swansea’s Oxford Street consisting of a 12-storey tower, 50 flats, a four-storey greenhouse, rooftop gardens, commercial and education space, and a landscaped courtyard. Part of it is replacing the former Woolworths store.
Carwyn Davies, Hacer Developments’ managing director, said this “biophilic” – roughly translating as people’s drive to connect with nature – design was a key element for the Llanelli and Swansea projects.
“This one in Llanelli will be our first spin-off project,” he said. “I think it’s got great regeneration and community potential. We’re quite excited to roll out the concept.”
Mr Davies said reusing rather than knocking down buildings boosted a development’s environmental credentials because existing materials like concrete, which takes a lot of energy to make, were retained. “We’ve got to start thinking about that,” he said.
Crown Buildings used to be a Department for Work and Pensions office. “It’s well-built with a concrete frame – why would you want to destroy that?” said Mr Davies.
A smaller empty adjacent building will, however, be demolished and a car park created.
Mr Davies said a binding agreement called a Section 106 agreement between Hacer Developmnents and Carmarthenshire Council, which has given planning permission with conditions, has been finalised.
“We are hoping to start work in the next one to two months,” he said. “A new market is planned in the town centre and the council has done up the [former] YMCA building. We’re probably the first private sector people coming in.”
whats the point in more flats there are loads above shops in town refurbish them out and stop building more when they aint needed
Lannette Jones If not flats then what happens to the building? More people living in town means there are more people around to spend money.
Paul Madsen there’s nothing in town for people to spend all the good shops have gone to trostra ,im sure they can find something except flats as there’s already new flats in town which are still empty
Lannette Jones forget shops. People need a leisure offering, things to do places to gather. The days of high Street shopping are dead
Paul Madsen just came to Exmouth for a holiday and was gob smacked a thriving old/new town plenty of shops only one barbers only one vape shop all the rest were food or clothes or Charity shops or butchers fish mongers restaurants a beautiful town centre bustling with plenty of shoppers and the town centre had a big paved circle with pubs and shops and benches for shoppers to sit on. and trees all around the paved circle I thought to myself why can’t my home town Llanelli take a leaf out of Exmouths book. The L.B.C. could make the town beautiful again . If they wanted to
Bertha Winterbottom agreed though Exmouth TC is closer to it’s popular beaches which in turn attract many more tourists.
There’s loads of towns that Llanelli could use as a template
Lannette Jones are you suggesting that flats already built in the Town are vacant?
Lannette Jones if there are loads of vacant flats, then the council list wouldn’t be so long would it Einstein?
Sarah Louise have u looked at top of the shops in town ? the new flats opposite barnados ? they are all empty plus they want to build flats above the old bargain buys when the in door market goes there , the council list is so long because the immigrants get first choice
Lannette Jones no , they don’t
Maybe because they are privately owned and already occupied?
I’ve got a feeling they will turn them into flats, and guess who will have them? It won’t be for local people in Llanelli.
Iona Lewis no we both know who they be for 🤬
Let’s hope they do not chuck each other off the roof or throw things from it
Ha, bet there won’t be any locals living in them.
Sarah Louise why not?
Dai John haven’t you seen what’s going on in the UK right now?
Sarah Louise yes, and it’s nothing like what you are trying to make out
Dai John is it not? Haha. Must be blind.
Sarah Louise this whatever it is, that’s going on in the country now, how does it affect you personally, and why must I be blind? because I don’t agree with your imagination?
Sarah Louise bet there will be
Asbestos 😭😭😭
Look out look out invasion about 👀😤
The old DDS
They are about as affordable as Rishi Sunak’s suits 🤣🤣🤣
I can guarantee they are for illegal immigrants! 🤬